Monday Night Pizza Club (MNPC), Rubirosa

MNPC was created when a few friends kept trying to say their favorite pizza place was best. So we went to a few all touting one over the other and then ranking them. Monday was an easy night where we could all make it and after a few meetings, it was clear, the Monday Night Pizza Club was born. It’s been about 3 years and counting.  It was also clear that I was the secretary as I send the email and coordinate the group. This works well for me because I have the final say as to where we go.  The rules of MNPC are simple: 

1. No slice joints 
2. Coal oven is best, but we’ll take what we can get 
3. Mushroom pizza was the gold standard (now we opt for the house special and mushroom is a default pie) 
4. Always order the Montepulciano when possible (generally reasonably priced, usually really good)

We had a tag line a long time ago, “truth, justice, and the pursuit of really good pizza,” but I’m not sure what ever happened to that.

MNPC is made up of core members, me, Copy Gal, the Web Guy,Mr. Media Training, and the drummer who asked I refer to him as LGFEO (which I’m told is a song from a band he used to be in). There are other honorary members like Gramercy Guy and Web Guy’s Girl and Mr. Media Training's wife.  Guests are always welcome, as long as you follow the rules. 

Tonight we went to Rubirosa on Mulberry Street. 

 

I had been with family before and was excited to go back and try more pizzas. They are known for their vodka sauce pie and it was as good as I remember. 

We also had the Mushroom (mushrooms, prosciutto, peas, and pecorino)

Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

Bianca (ricotta, fresh mozzarella, and parmigiano) 

Oh and the Montepulciano

The pizza is excellent; the crust is really super thin and crispy, very tasty with the right amount of char. I want to go back and try the rest of their menu but somehow I don’t think I’ll ever get passed the pizza. 

In the words of LGFEO, ‘It looks like we did it again, another successful MNPC.’

What’s your favorite pizza in all of the boroughs? Post yours in the comments section or tweet me @gramercy_girl 

Date Night

Gramercy Guy and I have been married for just over a year now and we still enjoy a formal date night. Date night is planned in advance, as opposed to checking Opentable at 6:30 on a Saturday night. We had a blast. For those of you following me on twitter, you know we had a very full night. 

Pre-dinner drinks:

Went to Tipsy Parson and was lucky to snag some seats at the bar. I had a glass of persecco and I love that they serve it in a coupe (the old style bowl like glass) as opposed to a modern day flute. Gramercy Guy had a Tipsy Palmer, which is the alcoholic take on an Arnold Palmer. ½ lemonade, ½ sweet tea bourbon, with a sprig of mint. This winner will make it to the cocktail list when BBQ season rolls around.  Cheers!

We headed down the block to Salinas, a fairly new Spanish place.  Our table was available, thank goodness. I was a little concerned based on the exchange with the reservationist:

Gramercy Girl: I’d like to make a reservation between 7:30 &8 on Saturday for two

Reservationist: We have a 6:15

GG: That’s a bit early; I’ll need to eat a second dinner

R: That’s true; we have a 7:45

GG: That’s perfect. (I gave her my info)

R: Can you hold on a second?

GG:  Sure

RR: I also have a table at 7:30, if you’d prefer, you’ll be able to sit and enjoy a bit longer

GG: Perfect. 

Isn't that what I asked for when I called? 

Dinner was delicious and I highly recommend it to everyone. Salina has been well reviewed, 2 stars from the New York Times and Esquire named it one of the best new restaurants of 2011. I completely agree with all the accolades.

This was a great cocktail with beet puree, lemon juice and gin. It was very refreshing and reminded me of the #5 drink of my cleanse (those you’ll learn about in March).

  

What we ordered:

Tapas:

Calamari braised in its ink, served with a few crispy fried onions and a piece of toast (this was a special).

It might look like a bowl of Dead Sea mud, but I assure you it was tasty.

Croquets with hardboiled egg and ham (this was also a special) (picture not available)

Mussel Croquets. This is more like a clam’s casino but with mussels.

My only advice is not to forget they are served with the shell,don't pop them in your mouth, you'll break a tooth

Mains:

Gramercy Guy had the special which was a Spanish take on duck l’orange and it was really really good.
I had the Bacalao (salt cod) from the menu.

Sides:

Patata Bravas which are a MUST HAVE…crispy potato chunks in a spicy sauce with just a hint of sweet.

Salteado De Temporada, sautéed greens

Salt Cod in the back, Duck in the front

We over ordered, for sure, we always do.

 

The service was great, not to pushy, very knowledgeable and our meal perfectly paced.  I didn’t feel rushed at all which was amazing because there was a huge line waiting for tables when we left. 

Date night couldn’t end without dessert so we headed next door to Bathtub Gin. For those of you not in the ‘know’ Bathtub Gin is a speakeasy behind the false wall of the Stone Street Coffee Company. The red light and the big bouncer are your clues. 

 

We ordered the s’mores and out comes a flaming cauldron and your perfect s’more staples, graham crackers, Hershey’s chocolate bar and marshmallows. I like to let my mallow catch fire and I put it out by squeezing it between the graham and chocolate. To pair our dessert, Brandeon Bogard the bar tender made Gramercy Guy and off the menu drink which was egg , chocolate and gin. Branden made me the Carol Channing  which was the perfect fruity balance to the sugar from the s’more.  If do go the Bathtub Gin, ask for Brandon and tell him Gramercy Girl sent you. 

All in all it was a perfect date night and I can’t wait until the next one.   

Until then, I’ll just have to look forward to Monday Night Pizza Club. Stay tuned for my update...

Lunch with the Pencil Pimp

I had the rare treat of taking a proper lunch today with a friend of mine since the 6^th grade. In the interest of full disclosure, we did date for a few days until the break up at the swim club. Ah young love. So during lunch he asked if I’d mention him here and then with the sarcasm I know and love, he further requested his mention be in haiku. So Pencil Pimp, cheers to you.

Had lunch with the pimp

He pushes pencils for work

And owes me some pens

First French onion soup

Crab cake salad and mussels

Fruit tart for dessert 

Don't forget to follow me on twitter @gramercy_girl or email me, gramercygirlblog@gmail.com

Product Review, Kashi Cookies

Today's post was supposed to a review of the new Blue Smoke (Battery Park City), but alas I was canceled on. Yes, I agree what's better than a night with Gramercy Girl? Apparently, a night without her. So I am going to the the suggestion of the Senator and start a monthly post highlighting product fails. 

Kashi TLC Cookies

We all go to the store and buy something that has a great description and a beautiful picture on the package, only to come home try it and say blech, what was I thinking and throw it away. Well to pay homage to the Senator for the great post idea, I'm using his product review. While he stayed home and missed a great meal Sunday (Theme Night Tailgate) , he picked up some Kashi TLC cookies. Hey I like Kashi products, they have great bars and I like their Go Lean Crunch with yogurt for breakfast. Here is the Senator's review, "If you like eating sand and raisins." I don't think much needs to be said after that. Thanks, Senator!

Share your favorite product fails. Post a comment here, email me gramercygirlblog@gmail.com or tweet me @gramercy_girl

Theme Night Tailgate-NFL Championship Games

The Senator missed a good day of eating and football. The crab soup was delish. It’s basic chowder where you can swap the clams or white fish with crab meat. After all, Baltimore was playing New England, plus I can eat my weight in crabs.

 To make the soup:

1.   In a large soup pot cook 4 or 5 strips of bacon (for veggie option just heat some oil), once bacon is  cooked remove and save to garnish later
2. Add 1 chopped onion and 1 stalk of cut celery until they begin to soften  
3.  Add 3 potatoes that have been cubed, 3 cups of liquid (clam juice, water, or fish stock). I prefer 1 cup of clam juice and 2 cups water and salt and pepper, bring to a boil then simmer until the potatoes are soft
4. Add 2 cups half and half (you can adjust fat content with skim milk or 2% milk) and some fresh thyme and 2 lbs of fish of your choice (for me it’s CRAB CRAB CRAB). Let the flavors blend and let everything get hot (about 5-10 minutes) 
5.  Cool and let sit overnight (or 5-6 hours),soup is better the next day anyway 
6.   Reheat on a medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of butter until melted and everything is hot
7. Serve with either bacon topping (that you used earlier). I prefer some Old Bay and oyster crackers.

Crab Chowdah

Now on to the pizza…on a recent trip to Pebble Beach we stopped at the artichoke farm and picked up some fresh baby artichokes, Brussels sprouts and garlic which was good timing for fresh veggies and pizza.Perfect for a New York/San Fran match up.

I made a simple pizza dough (makes 2  12 inch-ish pizzas):

1. In 1 cup of warm water dissolve 1 packet of dry active yeast until it gets bubbly then add 2 tablespoons of oil
2. In a large bowl add 2 cups flour (I use all purpose) , 1 teaspoon of salt and the yeasty water and mix together. If you’re ambitious, take the mixture out of the bowl and knead until it’s a fully incorporated ball and add extra flour as needed. OR if you’re like me, put in your mixture with the dough hook until forms a ball, again adding flour until the dough looks right
3. Lightly oil a bowl and put in the dough and cover at room temp for about 1-2 hours until it doubles in size. Punch it down every once in a while.
4. Split the dough in 2 and roll them out flat

To cook pizzas, heat oven w/a pizza stone in it to 500° and cook pizza for 10-12 minutes.

Toppings:

I sautéed some of the baby artichokes in garlic with baby bellas, pepperoni and of course fresh mozzarella

Before

Cook up little guy, you're going to taste great

As good as any MNPC place...ok maybe that's a stretch but close

On the lighter side, I went simple cheese and fresh basil on top right when it comes out of the oven.

nice and simple

12 minutes is a long time to wait

I love a good air bubble in my crust

Enjoy!

If you make any recipes let me know how you like it and share pics. If you can’t post here email me at gramercygirblog@gmail.com or tweet me @gramercy_girl

Parea Bistro Review

Went to Parea Bistro last night with my folks. Had never been and passed it for years on my way to and from Gramercy Tavern and always said, I should check this place out. Well, glad I finally did and upset it took so long. The food was really fresh and tasty. To start we all split assorted dips (eggplant salad, tzatziki, htipiti, and fava) with nicely charred pita. We also had grilled calamari and amazing veggie chips (breaded and just friend enough). For entrees, I had the whole grilled fish and shaved the checks for Gramercy Guy. Others with  me had the fish special which was pan seared dorado over broccoli rabe, and seafood yiouvestsi which was shell fish over orzo with a sauce that had great flavor and a hint of cinnamon. The service was strange. Granted it was  the end of a cold snowy day so when we arrive, there were only a few other tables. Our waiter started out to be overbearing and quite pushy. We had to work hard to pace the meal ourselves. As the restaurant filled in, the waiter seemed to back off. All in all the food was great and that’s what will bring me back…that is if I can pass Gramercy Tavern without popping in there first. 

Now off to cook today’s theme tailgate…crab chowder for lunch during the Baltimore/New England Game and homemade pizzas with the fresh California veggies for Giants/49ers game. Go big blue!

Lazy Snowy Saturday, Welcome 1/21/12

Many people create New Year’s resolutions; I will lose weight, I will save more money, get a new job. Not me. This year, my resolution is to finally get moving on my blog, so welcome to Gramercy Girl!

A little bit about me, and what brought me here. By day, I’m a development director for a national non-profit organization. By night I’m a foodie and "The Concierge". I love to cook and even more, I enjoy going out (no dishes or clean up). My friends (and friend’s families) are often asking me to recommend restaurants throughout New York City and beyond. I have planned more dates across New York City than some online dating sites. I am also a founding member of the Monday Night Pizza Club (MNPC) and Burger Club which you will get to know in the weeks to come. 

my patio and smoker/bbq put away for winter

I hope you will come with me on my culinary adventures in my apartment and throughout NYC as well as my travels around the world. I can give you a glimpse of what you can look forward to by a sampling of where I’ve been in 2011, highlights include Le Bernadin, Ai Fiori, Arabelle, Paulie Gee’s, Gamercy Tavern  (favorite of Gamercy Girl and frist date local with now husband Gramercy Guy), Burger and Barrel, Lucali (best pizza in NYC) , DBGB all in New York. French Laundry, Farmstead, Ad Hoc,  Gotts Roadside in Napa, Brophy Bros in Santa Barbara.  And lots & lots of home cooked meals. 

Feel free to post comments or shoot me an email at gramercygirlblog@gmail.com and follow me on twitter @gramercy_girl